Author: nathan.lankford

Golden Grrrls – s/t

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gg frontRating: ★★★★☆

Sometimes things just feel right, and that’s precisely the feeling I get whenever I play the self-titled album from Golden Grrrls.  With warm weather hitting my city, I needed something that would be both energetic and creative, and this album fits neatly into that box.  Bring on the Spring, and bring on more spins of this record.

“New Pop” opens up the album for this Glaswegian trio, and there’s not a better way to start things off than by combining multi-part vocal (male and female) harmonies.  The distorted guitar, the cymbal play and the frenetic pace of the vocal delivery provides a perfect beginning for one of the brightest records of the year.  And it doesn’t stop when Golden Grrrls move into “Past Tense.”  There’s definitely a bit of a more folk feeling bubbling underneath this track, with less distortion being pushed to the front of the mix; it’s probably one of the tracks that wears the badge of Flying Nun Records influences. Ruari’s vocal appearance during the chorus might actually steal the show a bit, but the whole tune’s simply splendid.

Almost every track provides listeners with something to tap their toes to, even when they choose to go in a softer direction.  “Wrld Peace,” for instance, maintains the warm aesthetic of the multi-part harmonies, but the rolling movement of the drums on this song really stands out to me.  After going back over the record again, I realized that the drums standout on almost every track, at least in some regard, but there’s some many layers of sound going on in each track, that occasionally your attention drifts elsewhere…just be sure to give the drumming some props! Sometimes, all three members join in to offer counterattacking vocal parts, like on “Date It,” which might have been why I drifted away from the superb percussion.  You’ve got to have a careful ear to catch everything going on, which I think is one of the many successes within Golden Grrrls; the formula might appear simple at first, but the subtleties of the craftsmanship really is what allows for repeated listens.  You’ll find that same approach on almost every song.

But, that might be a drawback for some, as many of the songs can bleed together just a bit.  Still, it’s a slight blemish on an otherwise marvelous listen.  You’re not going to find a bad track on this record; it’s simply not possible.  There’s casual tracks of summery pop like “We’ve Got” or there are songs that grab you energetically from the get go such as “Take Your Time,” and they all give you a sense of inner joy.  For my two cents, the record is refreshing, taking a popular format, adding more harmonies and a little bit more focus.  It makes Golden Grrrls one of my favorite acts of the moment, and I’m sure it’ll be yours too.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/02-Past-Tense.mp3]

Golden Grrrls is out now on Slumberland Records.

 

 

Stream the Grape St. Record – A Date With You

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grape_st._cover12inchHey-o folks.  Been hard at work here behind the scene to get this new record and all it’s info out to the masses. A Date with You is the second release from our up-start label here at the site, and we’re really stoked to be working with Grape St., which features members from Harlem, Hello Caller and Frank Smith.  Honestly, I don’t really care what anyone says about this record; it’s infectious, and there’s not a bad song on here.  I hope you dig it; I hope you jam out with your clam out.  If you’re interested in purchasing it, you can pre-order the album HERE.

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New Rocker from Black Lizard

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BLACKLIZARD_promopic1Late last year I brought you news of the great signing by Soliti Music, Black Lizard, offering us a dark bit of psychedelic folk.  This time, the group returns with a new single for their self-titled album…and it’s got a similar sound, though one that has a little bit more of a hazier coat of noise atop it.  Their album will be available from the label on April 5th, and it even has a little help from Anton Newcombe.  I have a feeling that once this is out, it’s really going to make its way overseas and create a huge stir in the States.  Good thing we were here first!

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/BLACK-LIZARD-Love-Is-A-Lie.mp3]

Download: BLACK LIZARD – Love Is A Lie [MP3]

Manchester Monday with Sorry, No

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521422_449526295119320_1229524907_nSeeing as it’s been a good year for my favorite soccer team, allowing me to wake most Mondays with a win, I wanted to share a new tune from the city that’s recently been put out by Art is Hard Records.   Sorry, No is primarily the work of Luke Bather, with a little help from his friend; I like the stripped down quality of the track, which creates an intimate listening experience.  Word on the street is that a recording is in the process for an upcoming EP, which features the following track.  Sure, it’s not Madchester, but it’s still pretty damn good. Ra Ra Cantona.

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Show Preview: Tame Impala @ Stubbs (2.26) + After Party

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tameimpala

Date Tuesday, February 26th
Location Stubbs
Doors 6:00 PM
Tickets SOLD OUT


It should be no surprise that Tuesday’s show with Tame Impala has sold out. The band has been universally praised with their two albums, the most recent being Lonerism.  It’s weird to see a band burst forth with such enthusiastic praise, but I assure you, having spent hours upon hours with the band’s music, it’s more than deserved.  I actually haven’t seen them live, so I’m looking forward to see what they have to offer in the live setting.  They’ll  be bringing friends The Growl with them from Australia.

And, immediately following the show, there is a killer set inside the venue featuring our local favorites Feathers and the Sour Notes.  I say go for it all.  Six hours of perfect music to make your perfect Tuesday.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Apocalypse-Dreams.mp3]

Download: Tame Impala – Apocalypse Dreams [MP3]

Looking In on Shelflife Records

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LIFE097_Cover480Been following Shelflife Records for a bit now, and I had almost forgotten to check back with them on plans for 2013.  Good thing I took a look-see, as they’ve got two great new acts I want to share with you.  First, you’ve got Spain’s When Nalda Became Punk.  It’s refreshing to hear spirited jangle-pop coming with just a hint of a Spanish accent. They’re debut for the label, A Farewell to Youth, is out now.  Also, the label has just put out the Goodly Thousands 7″, with the Irish group kicking out really rad indie pop, like a less-angular version of The Lodger.  Music like this really makes it easy for me to come back to work on a Monday.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/01-When-Itll-come.mp3]

Download:When Nelda Became Punk – When It’ll Come [MP3]

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Goodly-Thousands-Goodly-Thousands-04-Honest.mp3]

Download: Goodly Thousands – Honest[MP3]

Girls Names – The New Life

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girlsnamesRating: ★★★★½

When a band makes a sonic change, sometimes you lose fans or confuse fans, but the slightest change here should be considered a leap, with Girls Names releasing what I believe is one of the best records that will come out in 2013.  The New Life maintains the group’s penchant for uniting jangling guitars with atmospheric psychedelia, but creates this brooding darkness that propels the group into a category all their own.

“Pittura Infamante” was one of the first singles leaked out, and almost immediately you could tell that the group had something building.  The bass line alone brings in a different level of darkness, with Cathal Cully hauntingly crooning atop the verses.  Yet, two things minimize the black effects: the guitars and the chorus.  Cully’s voice carefully sways from the moment he sings “across,” accentuated by some nice keyboard additives. From there The New Life moves even further into its ghastly presentation with “Drawing Lines.”  My ears can’t get over the vocal here, in a good way.  It sounds as if they’ve been recorded in some ancient cathedral, evoking the purest emotion from any listener.  Also, you’ll note that the first of the two tracks, excluding the introductory “Portrait,” are far greater in length than the work done on Dead to Me–their debut had not a song over 4 minutes, but here, you’re lucky to find the two that just barely fit under that mark.  It demonstrates a bit more creativity and budding craft as songwriters, all which benefit the record.

While Girls Names have created more sprawling adventures this time out, don’t let me convince you that it all has to be affected by doom and gloom.  The swirling guitars that eventually open “Occultation” surely display an added light to the record.  Of course, Cully enters again with that demonic croon while the distorted guitar reverberates in your speakers.  Sonically dark, yes. Emotionally light, check!  Towards the end, the song has its own negative space exploration before jumping right back into a spirited close.  But, just because the band can traipse off into their own sonic realms in spectacular fashion, that doesn’t mean you should ignore the shortest track on The New Life.  Neil’s drumming really pushes the pace here, and the brighter side of the group’s guitar playing really shines through.  Even when they do things in tighter fashion, they give you more than you bargained for.  Right now, I’m particularly in love with the chorus.

Hopefully I’ve given you some insight into what listening to The New Life will be like when you let that needle hit the record. However, those are just some personal highlights, and I think what each listener brings to the table will really play a huge role in how the record is perceived.  That being said, I couldn’t be happier for Girls Names–they’ve taken on their remarkable promise as a young band and taken things to an entirely different level.  Feel free to swoon over this record for the rest of 2013…and beyond.

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The New Life is available from Slumberland Records on 2/26.

Paperfangs – Past Perfect

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paperfangs_past_perfect_front_cover_digital-640x640Rating: ★★★½☆

I’ve spent the better part of the last two weeks playing Past Perfect over and over again; it’s an album that travels well regardless of where you go, be it your bedroom, your car, the gym, home office, whatever.  While there are definitely bright spots, the overall execution from Paperfangs demonstrates a well-rounded effort that any music aficionado can sink their teeth into.

My first few runs through the record, I definitely gravitated towards the 1-2 punch of the openers.  “In Age” takes a second to open up, but the calm electronic playfulness that ensues reminded me of a Finnish Arab Strap.  It’s not a track that hits you over the head with production, yet somehow it manages to hit home every time I press play.  But, “Bathe In Glory” is where I lost myself; the light keyboard wash, the deep vocals and the glancing guitar in the background fit perfectly into a nice bit of nostalgia…nostalgia done right.

As my time with Past Perfect unfolded, I began to give the group more credit for their production values.  For instance, take a song like “This Power,” which could be perceived as just another bedroom pop hit.  However, there’s little touches of horns and piano that really add depth to the track, and don’t miss the sampled vocals that lurk far far in the background of the tune.  It’s easy to overlook such little touches, but I think that’s what’s really allowed me to delve into the record repeatedly for so long.  It’s like an audial puzzle, begging for you to identify the various layers and textures the group put into the recording.

Another aspect of the band that many should take note of comes through in their music as well…the visual.  It’s always been the band’s focus to include such touches in the live production of their music, but several minor sound bites allow Paperfangs to include those notes in their music too. One moment that stands out is in the closer, “His Famous Last Painting,” where the samples open the song, but also reappear throughout the track momentarily.  I think it’s important for all to be aware of such things, as it will definitely lend itself to a more complete understanding of the group’s aesthetic, not to mention clues to how one should listen to the album.

At first, Past Perfect may appear as just a simple electronically enhanced pop record, but don’t sell the effort or yourself short.  Spend a few quieted hours listening to the songs that Paperfangs have created and the odds are that you’ll be constructing your very own visual landscapes where the tunes are fitting.  The more you allow yourself to uncover and dream with the album, the more emotional benefits you’ll get, allowing you to spin the record for hours on end.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/2.-Bathe-In-Glory.mp3]

Download: Paperfangs – Bathe In Glory [MP3]

Past Perfect is available now from Soliti Music. 

Something Different with New Mexico

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1178Sometimes going through my email at the ATH offices I realize that I get stuck in musical ruts, listening to music that I think defines my tastes.  But, that being said, this new jam off the upcoming album from New Mexico is sort of taking me in a different direction, although just for a wee bit (probably). There’s something about the track that’s really gotten to me.  At times, I can hear a bit of post-punk influence, especially with the opening minute and the manipulating of negative space. I can also hear just a really tried and true alternative rock center.  Regardless, I’m digging it.  If you feel the same, check out the group’s new album, Malpais, which surfaces on April 23rd.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/01-Alpha-Male.mp3]

Download: New Mexico – Alpha Male [MP3]

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